2003 MAZDA MODEL MPV Owners Manual (in English)

8-14
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Adding Brake Fluid
If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it
reaches MAX.
Before adding fluid, thoroughly clean the
area around the cap.

Inspecting Power Steering Fluid
Level
Inspect the fluid level in the reservoir at
each engine oil change with the engine off
and cold. Add fluid if necessary; it does
not require periodic changing.
The level must be kept between MIN and
MAX.
Visually examine the lines and hoses for
leaks and damage.
If new fluid is required frequently, consult
an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
Spilled Brake Fluid:
Spilled brake fluid is dangerous. If it
gets in your eyes, they could be
seriously injured. If this happens,
immediately flush your eyes with
water and get medical attention.
Brake fluid spilled on a hot engine
could cause a fire. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on yourself or on the
engine.
Low Brake Fluid Levels:
Low brake fluid levels are dangerous.
Low levels could signal brake lining
wear or a brake system leak. Your
brakes could fail and cause an
accident. If you find a low fluid level,
have the brakes inspected.
•Brake fluid will damage painted
surfaces. If brake fluid does get on a
painted surface, wipe it off
immediately.
•Using nonspecified brake fluids
(page 10-4) will damage the system.
Mixing different fluids will also
damage it.
If the brake system frequently
requires new fluid, consult an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
WARNING
CAUTION
Power Steering Fluid
To avoid damage to the power steering
pump, don’t operate the vehicle for
long periods when the power steering
fluid level is low.
NOTE
Use specified power steering fluid
(page 10-4).
CAUTION
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8-15
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Inspecting Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Level
The automatic transaxle fluid level should
be inspected regularly. Measure it as
described below.
The volume of fluid changes with the
temperature. Fluid must be checked at idle
without driving at normal operating
temperature.
1. Park on a level surface and set the
parking brake firmly.
2. Idle the engine about two minutes.
Push down on the brake pedal.
3. Move the shift lever through all ranges
and set it at P.4. With the engine still idling, pull out the
dipstick, wipe it clean, and put it back.
5. Pull it out again.
The proper fluid level is marked on the
dipstick as follows.
Fluid hot scale A
When the vehicle has been driven and the
fluid is at normal operating temperature,
about 65°C (150°F), the level must be
between Full and Low.
Fluid cold scale B
When the engine has not been running
and the outside temperature is about 20°C
(70°F), the level must be between Full and
Low.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(ATF)
•Low fluid level causes transaxle
slippage. Overfilling can cause
foaming, loss of fluid, and transaxle
malfunction.
•Use specified fluid (page 10-4). A
nonspecified fluid could result in
transaxle malfunction and failure.
CAUTION
Sudden Vehicle Movement:
Shifting the shift lever without first
depressing the brake pedal is
dangerous. The vehicle could move
suddenly and cause an accident.
Make sure the brake pedal is applied
before shifting the shift lever.
WARNING
A
B
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8-16
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
Fully insert the dipstick. When adding
fluid, inspect with the dipstick to make
sure it doesn’t pass full.

Inspecting Washer Fluid Level
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir; add fluid if necessary.
The top of the float should be between
FULL and LOW.
Use plain water if washer fluid is
unavailable.
But use only washer fluid in cold weather
to prevent it from freezing. •Use the cold scale only as a
reference.
•If outside temperature is lower than
about 20°C (70°F), start the engine
and inspect the fluid level after the
engine reaches operating
temperature.
•If the vehicle has been driven for an
extended period at high speeds or in
city traffic in hot weather, inspect
the level only after stopping the
engine and allowing the fluid to
cool for 30 minutes.
NOTE
Inspect both sides of the dipstick for
accurate reading.
CAUTIONWasher Fluid
Substitute Washer Fluid:
Using radiator antifreeze as washer
fluid is dangerous. If sprayed on the
windshield, it will dirty the
windshield, affect your visibility, and
could result in an accident. Use only
windshield washer fluid or plain
water in the reservoir.
WARNING
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8-17
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sure the engine hood’s secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.This air filter may be cleaned with
compressed air and reused, or replaced,
depending on its condition. Unless it is
very dirty, simply shake it to remove
foreign particles. Each time you inspect it,
wipe inside the air cleaner housing with a
damp cloth.

Replacing the Air Filter
1. Remove the bolt and unfasten the
clamps on the air cleaner housing.
Body LubricationAir Filter
Don’t drive without an air filter. This
could result in excessive engine wear.
NOTE
If the vehicle is operated in very dusty
or sandy areas, replace the filter more
often than recommended intervals.
CAUTION
Bolt
Clamp
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8-18
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
2. Separate the air cleaner housing and
remove the filter.
3. Wipe inside the air cleaner housing
with a damp cloth.
4. Clean or replace the filter.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Replace the filter according to Scheduled
Maintenance (page 8-3).Contamination of either the windshield or
the blades with foreign matter can reduce
wiper effectiveness. Common sources are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes.
If the blades are not wiping properly,
clean the window and blades with a good
cleaner or mild detergent; then rinse
thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if
necessary.
Air filterAir cleaner housing
Wiper Blades
Hot waxes applied by automatic car
washes have been known to affect the
cleanability of windows.
To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
don’t use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them.
CAUTION
CAUTION
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8-19
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G

Replacing Windshield Wiper
Blades
When the wipers no longer clean well, the
blades are probably worn or cracked.
Replace them.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm.2. Hold the end of the rubber and pull
until the tabs are free of the metal
support.
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades. To prevent damage to the wiper arms
and other components, don’t move the
wipers by hand.
To prevent damage to the windshield,
don’t let the wiper arm fall on it.
CAUTION
Push
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
Pull out Ta bMetal support
Stiffeners
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8-20
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse older of removal.

Replacing Rear Window Wiper
Blade
When the wiper no longer cleans well, the
blade is probably worn or cracked.
Replace it.
1. Raise the wiper arm and turn the blade
assembly to expose the plastic locking
clip.
Compress the clip and slide the
assembly downward; then lift it off the
arm. •Don’t bend the stiffeners. You need
to use them again.
•If the metal stiffeners are switched,
the blade’s wiping efficiency could
be reduced.
So don’t use the driver’s side metal
stiffeners on the passenger’s side, or
vice versa.
•Be sure to reinstall the metal
stiffeners in the new blade rubber so
that the curve is the same as it was
in the old blade rubber.
NOTE
Install the blade so that the tabs are
toward the bottom of the wiper arm.
CAUTION
Ta b
To prevent damage to the wiper arm
and other components, don’t move the
wiper by hand.
To prevent damage to the rear window,
don’t let the wiper arm fall on it.
CAUTION
Push
Plastic locking clip
CAUTION
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8-21
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Form No. 8R21-EA-02G
2. Pull down the blade rubber and slide it
out of the blade holder.
3. Remove the metal stiffeners from the
blade rubber and install them in new
blades.4. Carefully insert the new blade rubber.
Then install the blade assembly in the
reverse order of removal.
Don’t bend the stiffeners. You need to
use them again.
Pull out
Stiffeners
CAUTION
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